Long-serving Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, embroiled in a sex scandal and finding little support from his party, said today he will resign from the US Senate.
"I apologize for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry," Mr Craig (62) said in an announcement in his home state. The three-term senator said he would step down September 30th.
The departure capped a week of controversy for Republicans, already reeling from ethics problems, with the disclosure Mr Craig had pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in an undercover investigation of lewd behavior in a men's airport restroom.
Republican Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter will pick a successor to complete Craig's term, which runs through next year.
He was expected to choose a Republican, thus maintaining the current 51-49 Democratic control of the Senate.